Balaam's Curse/Blessing of Israel confirmed by archaeologists?

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

In Number 20-24, the Israelites attack the Amorites, defeat them, and seize their territories to the east of the Jordan River, in what is today the nation of Jordan.  The king of Moab, feeling threatened by the Israelites at his border, hires a prophet/seer to curse the Israelites: Balaam bar Be'or.

Balaam is reluctant to come do so, repeatedly telling King Balak that he can only prophecy what the Lord tells him.  Sure enough, three times Balaam ends up blessing Israel instead of cursing them, to the chagrin of Balak.  Unable to curse or prophecy against Israel, Balaam instead gives Balak advice: send the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men.  And this plan... it works.

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In 1967, archaeologists in Deir Alla, Jordan discovered an ancient inscription - a poem that says it is composed by... Balaam bar Be'or.

What does it say?  You can read it (along with a commentary) here:  On the Agenda: a Magazine for Bible teachers in Public Schools

Actually, this is published by Israel's Ministry of Education... and it's in Hebrew, so you probably CAN'T read it.  >_<  But If you right click on the page, you can choose "Translate to English" to get an idea of what it says, although a translation of a translation can be a little dodgy.

Things I found interesting:

"The results of the [carbon dating] test using the C14 tests showed that the inscription was placed on the plastered wall between 770-880 BC, with a particularly high probability of the end of the ninth century."

When did Balaam live?  In the Bible, he's a contemporary of Moses.  The 9th century is at least 3 centuries too late for that.  Was his prophecy written on the doorposts long after his death by someone else?

"The sons of Jacob... deny the tradition of justice and their own justice, they are lost and likened to swords"

This is actually part of Balaam's prophecy.  But, um... that isn't a blessing.  That's a curse, or at least a condemnation...

"On the religious level, his words are aimed at consecrations and priestesses - without mentioning their male counterparts - whom he accuses, in rude and blatant language, of acts of prostitution."

In the inscription Balaam is CONDEMNING them for prostitution, but in the Bible, this is the solution he gave to Balak.   

Also, the place this was found - Deir Alla - is Biblical Succoth.  A city built by the patriarch Jacob.  So a prophecy against the "sons of Jacob" seems pretty relevant. 

While we're at it, this area (Gilead) is where prophet Elijah is supposed to be from, and he's also thought to have lived in the 9th century, and he prophesied against Israel because of their unfaithfulness and whoredoms...

Interesting stuff.

Jarrod

[GB]

In Number 20-24, the Israelites attack the Amorites, defeat them, and seize their territories to the east of the Jordan River, in what is today the nation of Jordan.  The king of Moab, feeling threatened by the Israelites at his border, hires a prophet/seer to curse the Israelites: Balaam bar Be'or.

Balaam is reluctant to come do so, repeatedly telling King Balak that he can only prophecy what the Lord tells him.  Sure enough, three times Balaam ends up blessing Israel instead of cursing them, to the chagrin of Balak.  Unable to curse or prophecy against Israel, Balaam instead gives Balak advice: send the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men.  And this plan... it works.

-----

In 1967, archaeologists in Deir Alla, Jordan discovered an ancient inscription - a poem that says it is composed by... Balaam bar Be'or.

What does it say?  You can read it (along with a commentary) here:  On the Agenda: a Magazine for Bible teachers in Public Schools

Actually, this is published by Israel's Ministry of Education... and it's in Hebrew, so you probably CAN'T read it.  >_<  But If you right click on the page, you can choose "Translate to English" to get an idea of what it says, although a translation of a translation can be a little dodgy.

Things I found interesting:

"The results of the [carbon dating] test using the C14 tests showed that the inscription was placed on the plastered wall between 770-880 BC, with a particularly high probability of the end of the ninth century."

When did Balaam live?  In the Bible, he's a contemporary of Moses.  The 9th century is at least 3 centuries too late for that.  Was his prophecy written on the doorposts long after his death by someone else?

"The sons of Jacob... deny the tradition of justice and their own justice, they are lost and likened to swords"

This is actually part of Balaam's prophecy.  But, um... that isn't a blessing.  That's a curse, or at least a condemnation...

"On the religious level, his words are aimed at consecrations and priestesses - without mentioning their male counterparts - whom he accuses, in rude and blatant language, of acts of prostitution."

In the inscription Balaam is CONDEMNING them for prostitution, but in the Bible, this is the solution he gave to Balak.   

Also, the place this was found - Deir Alla - is Biblical Succoth.  A city built by the patriarch Jacob.  So a prophecy against the "sons of Jacob" seems pretty relevant. 

While we're at it, this area (Gilead) is where prophet Elijah is supposed to be from, and he's also thought to have lived in the 9th century, and he prophesied against Israel because of their unfaithfulness and whoredoms...

Interesting stuff.

Jarrod

Fascinating, Thank you.